So Blog Post #2…I’ve been looking forward to writing this one. I’m currently on a train back to London from Edinburgh. I’ve spent the last couple of days there with my girlfriend and seeing more friends along the way! It’s been awesome. Let’s start with Day 1…9am…
In March, I was on a train from Oxford to London and the train went on fire. I don’t like trains as it is, that’s why I learned to drive, but sometimes needs must. A train going on fire is a massive inconvenience, especially when it’s 2am and you’re stood in the freezing cold and haven’t slept in your own bed in two weeks. Anyway, everyone was safe and the train company apologised with a refund of my ticket price, and also a free first class return journey to use within a year. Straight away, I thought…EDINBURGH! So I booked a show and a hotel and packed my sense of adventure and away I went. When I turned up at King Cross, they told me that my ticket wasn’t valid….so a nice little £135 left my account to make sure I could do the show that night. Not the best start to the day, but it’s OK because I was heading to one of my favourite cities. 4 and a half hours and 100 pages of my book later, I arrived to be greeted my girlfriend. We then checked in at the hotel (which was a good 2 mile walk away, I definitely walked off my Maccy D’s breakfast) and headed to the show.
I’d been nervous about this show for a while. I knew there would be around 25-30 people coming to the show and I was familiar with people in the audience. My throat had been hoarse for a week so I apprehensive of that aswell. I turned up at the venue and it was stunning. Lovely little room, all seated out. It was the Speakeasy room in Voodoo Rooms, the staff could not have been friendlier. I had Ramona Rose supporting me, she was awesome. Her first time in Edinburgh, and her first time playing on the bill with me, hopefully not the last. Check out her social network things (/RamonaRoseUK). The show went off without a hitch, despite having 5 pints before playing (I kept drinking thinking it would get rid of the nerves, it didn’t, it just made me light headed and even more nervous). I can’t thank the people enough for coming to the show, it was great to play around 2 hours worth my music for you. Including some songs I’ve never played live, and some brand new ones.
After the gig, my girlfriend and I headed out into the town with a few friends from the show. We were drinking in a rock bar, which is never good when you’ve lost your voice. Knowing I had 3 days off after that night, I chatted and drank away. I had a Bucky bomb for the first time (Like a Jager Bomb with Buckfast…vile). I’d say at this point, I was 8 or 9 pints and 2 Bucky Bombs down. Kieran (one of said friends) mentioned that his cousin has a bar that has live music til 3am. So we went there, and it was open mic. Being 3 sheets to the wind and with a voice hanging on by a string, I did 4 songs. All songs emanating to the finale of Mamma Mia. Of course. This was a great night.
The day after, was tourist day. The girlfriend and I met up with my friend, Pam (Pam-e-laaa for those who watch Gavin and Stacey). We visited all the Harry Potter tourist stops, including taking selfies in a Graveyard…I still don’t feel completely alright about that. What surprised me about Edinburgh was the amount of Street Performers. It’s a very creative city. I was reading ‘The Art of Asking’ by Amanda Palmer on the journey up and she discusses her early career as a street performer. Reading this made me empathise with them…I used every last bit of change I had. We also visited the Scotch Whiskey Experience, where you learn about Scotch Whiskey…obviously. This was great, and a great substitute for the Castle (which was £30 to enter, which would have been appealing if the earlier train ticket incident hadn’t occurred). We then parted ways with Pam (e-laaaa) and headed to Hard Rock Cafe. They let me put requests to play on the screens/speakers, that is one way you get a tip from me. The line up included…Bruce Springsteen, OneRepublic, Nachos, Against Me, Burger and Chips, Cocktail, Frank Turner, Cold Wars Kids, Beer followed by heartburn. The night ended in Fingers Piano Bar, which is my new favourite place. It’s a little cocktail type bar without the cocktails (I don’t think, I was on the Jamesons at this point) and at around 11, a guy came down to play tunes on the piano and sing. He was great, he did all my requests (Billy Joel, Elton John, Billy Joel, Elton John, James Taylor, Elton John…in that order).
So that was my Edinburgh trip. I loved it and am now on a train sitting backward for 4 hours with a guy a few rows in front of me being kept on hold by HSBC…how do I know? He’s got the annoying music and recorded message on Loudspeaker.
I have no idea how often I’m going to write a blog. Probably when I’ve got something interesting to say. There’s some Wristbands on my Merch Store now available. They’re flying out. Also sign up to the mailing list to get a free download of Last Man Standing acoustic style.
And also, tour in October with Bry and Dave Giles…where tickets are apparently flying out. The Future Looks Good.
Links to check out:
Ramona Rose Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamonaRoseUK
Voodoo Rooms: http://www.thevoodoorooms.com/
Fingers Piano Bar: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fingers/131868623527520
Scotch Whisky Experience: https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/
Elephant House: http://www.elephanthouse.biz/house-menu.html
Greyfriars Graveyard: http://www.greyfriarskirk.com/visiting-kirk
Songs To Check Out:
OneRepublic-Future Looks Good
Cold War Kids-First
Billy Joel-She’s Always a Woman